(Newser)
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If there was any doubt, the 2016 presidential contest appears to have its very own Teflon Don: Donald Trump, whose candidacy was launched in controversy and apparently thrives off a steady diet of it, has sailed through his Muslim ban firestorm to emerge with, well, his biggest lead to date. In the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll, Trump finds himself with 38% support among GOP voters and their GOP-leaning independent brethren—up 6 points from November, and his highest percentage yet. Ted Cruz, who's seeing sharp rises elsewhere, effectively doubled his support to 15%, reports the Washington Post.

Meanwhile, Ben Carson's support went the other way—effectively cut in half—and he and Marco Rubio are tied for third at 12%. Jeb Bush clocks in at 5%, Chris Christie has 4%, and everyone else is under 2%. Trump's electability numbers also jumped, notes Politico, going from 38% last month to 47% of Americans who thought he could win the Oval Office. But this latest poll is far from indicative of what happens come next November, if history is any teacher, notes the Post: Polling at this point in recent election cycles would have given us presidents named Giuliani, Gingrich, or Clinton (Hillary led Barack Obama at this point in the 2008 contest). (Meanwhile, the big question tonight: Will anyone go after Trump?)

The only way I could be persuaded to vote for The Donald, if it is a head to head between him and Hill-the-business-shill. But, then I'd vote for Joe Stalin before I'd support Hilary, and he's dead, you know.

Nofun

Dec 15, 2015 9:20 PM CST

The good ship GOP is sinking ... they just didn't see that Trump berg ... a creature of their own making .... was bigger than first thought ..... quick everyone jump ship and let the tea party band play their last sad song.......

NEMESIS

Dec 15, 2015 6:20 PM CST

Whether Trump gets voted in or not is not up to the voters, it's up to the terrorists. If they stage another mass murder before the elections then Trump is President. If they are wise and wait till after the elections then Trump's chances are very slim. The critical ballot is in the hands of the terrorists. I believe that the terrorists are afraid of Trump and will wait till after the elections. In a sense, that means Trump has given us a year of no terrorist mass murder. That's an elegant Christmas present for all Americans from Trump! Thank you Trump!